Harbaugh: WR Crabtree could return as soon as mid-November

Good news for the 49ers’ underwhelming wide receiver corps and banged-up defensive line: Reinforcements are on the way.

Today, Jim Harbaugh said wide receiver Michael Crabtree has started running and could be ready to play by as soon as mid-November after he sustained a torn Achilles on May 21. In addition, wide receiver Mario Manningham could return to practice next week after he sustained two torn knee ligaments on Dec. 23.

After Sunday’s game against the visiting Cardinals, a host of players on various injury lists are eligible to return to practice. That group includes rookie defensive linemen Tank Carradine and Quinton Dial, and cornerback Eric Wright.

The players currently on injury lists can begin practicing at any time after Week 6 (Oct. 15) through the day after Week 11 (Nov. 19). Once a player begins practicing, the 49ers will have a three-week window to place him on the 53-man roster.

Carradine, a second-round pick, could help fill the void if defensive tackle Ray McDonald misses significant time with a bicep injury he sustained in Sunday’s 34-3 win over Houston. Harbaugh did not have an update on McDonald, who is scheduled to have an MRI today. Dial, a fifth-round pick, could provide depth at nose tackle where San Francisco’s starter, Ian Williams, is out for the season with a broken ankle.

Harbaugh said Carradine and Dial should be ready to begin practicing next week.

“I believe they are, next week,” Harbaugh said. “So we’re counting down the days. Been counting down the weeks — and now down to one week — with quite a few guys. Tank Carradine. Quinton Dial. Mario Manningham. Eric Wright. All guys that have the possibility of starting practicing next week. So excited about that.”

Harbaugh offered a mid-to-late-November timeline for Crabtree’s return, which suggests he could play when the 49ers visit New Orleans (5-0) on Nov. 17.

Besides Anquan Boldin, Crabtree and Manningham are the only 49ers wide receivers with more than 44 career receptions. Last year, Crabtree had 85 catches for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns.

After five games, Boldin has 26 catches, 393 yards and two touchdowns. The rest of the 49ers’ wide receivers have combined for 13 catches, 112 yards and no touchdowns, and quarterback Colin Kaepernick hasn’t thrown for more than 167 yards in his past four games.